Cylinder manifold for internal-combustion engines



H. T. HERR April 7," 1931.

CYLINDER MANIFOLD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Jan. 11. 1929 5/94/5511,!vii/11114.11!

INVENTOR HIHez-r.

ATTORNEY Fig.4.

WITNESS Patented. A... 1,193;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '1. HERE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- I HOUSE-ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, .A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA CYLINDER MANIFOLD FOR INTEBNAL-OOMBU STION E NGINES Application filed January 11, 1929. .Serial No. 331,810.

My invention relates to internal combustion engines and particularly to manifolds utilized for conveyin fluid to or discharging fluid from a plurali%yof the engine cylinders, and it has for an object to provide apparatus of the" character designated which shall be so arranged as to provide free and open communication with the ports in all of the engine cylinders and which shall embody ready means for detachably securing the manifold to the en e cylinders.

i It has for a furt er ob ect to provide an engine manifold which shall bexrelatively light in weight but which shall, at the same time, possess the required structural strength which shall so engage the cylinders as an to ie effective to resist any engine working forces which may tend to displace the cylinders relative to each other., I a I These and other objects are effected by my invention, as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

one form of manifold secured to a pluralit of cylinders and arranged in accordance wit my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, in elevation, of the cylinders and manifplds shown in Fig. 1

V Figf3 is a view, in sectional elevation, taken through the manifold on the line III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial view, in sectional elevation, taken through the c linder and manifold on the line IV-IV 0 Fig. .2;

Fig. 5 is a partial detail view, in sectional elevation, and showing the structure provided for attaching the manifold to the respective cylinders; and,

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of the spring ring utilized in the assembly of the manifold upon each of the cylinders.

Referring now to thedrawing, I show in Figs. 1 and 2 a plurality of cylinder structures 10 disposed in side-by-side relation. As shown, the cylinder structures are arranged in accordance with a form of engine disclosed in a cop'ending application of mine entitled Internal combustion engine and Fig. 1 is a plan View, in section, showing that the air entering the engine cylinders is assigned to the Westinghouse Electric 85 Manufacturing Company. In the aforesaid application, the cylinder structures are arran ed in polygonal sets and respective cyl1n er structures of each polygonal set are disposed in the manner illustrated in the present a plication. While the present invencircumferentially-spaced scavenging fluid -or [fuel mixture inlet ports 11, and circumferentially-spaced exhaust ports 13.. Associated with the inlet ports 11 is a manifold14 for supplying the fluid thereto. While, in the present embodiment, my improved form of manifold is specifically utilized for supplying scavenging fluid to the engine cylinder structures, nevertheless it is obvious that it is equally well adapted for conveying the .burnt gases from the cylinder exhaust ports or for conveying any other media to or from a plurality of cylinders.

The manifold 14 is preferably so arranged that it completely surrounds the scavenging air inlet ports 11 provided in the respective cylinder structures in order to provide free and uninterrupted passage of the scaven 'ng fluid into the interior 0 all the cylin ers. Preferably, as shown, the scavenging fluid inlet ports "in the respective cylinder structures "are arranged somewhat tangentially so 0 a given a whirling or rotary motion in order to provide thorough scavening.

The manifold 10 com rises upper and lower walls 15 and 16 an circular end portions 17 and 18." A scavenging fluid inlet 19 is located at one end of the manifold while the other 0 11 end 20 of the manifold is covered by a p ate 21, this plate, as shown in the aforesaid copending application, forming a ortion of the engine gear case. Preferably,

the manifold is composed of some sheet maerably, the cylinder 27 is provided with terial such as, for example, stainless steel, projecting flange portions 37 and 38 located which is relatively light in weight and which in the vicinity of the acket flanges and 26 will not rust or corrode because of contact and engaging the jacket sleeve sothat the with any moisture which may be contained cylinder 27 cooperates with the jacket sleeve in the fluid it conveys. to retain the manifold in place.

In order that the manifold may possess the Referring now to the method of attaching required structural strength and rigidity, I the respective cylinder structures to the provide interiorly of the manifold a pluralmanifold, it is noted that the spring ring 33 ity of stress members or stays 22 joined at is first inserted within the manifold. Preftheir respective ends to the upper and lower erably, the intermediate cylinder structure is walls 15 and 16, as at 23 and 24, respectively. inserted first and this cylinder structure is Preferably, these stays are composed of some projected into the manifold, the opening 31 material such as, for example, piano wire, being sufficiently large to permit the prowhich possesses an extraordinary tensile jecting portion 29of the manifold flange 25 strength so that the diameter of the stays, to pass freely therethrough. The spring as well as their weight, is reduced to a mini ring 33 is then opened and passed over the mum and at the same time very little reexterior surface of the cylinder structure sistance is offered to the passage of the scavafter which the cylinder structure is further enging fluid through the manifold. The ends inserted into the manifold until the projectof the stays 22 may be secured to the walls of ing portion 29 of the flange 25 abuts against the manifold in any approved manner. the manifold wall after which the locking However, they preferably extend through ring 30 is secured in place from exteriorly 0f the walls of the manifold and are secured to the manifold.

the exterior surfaces thereof as by'soldering. The spring ring 33 is then again opened In order to detachably secure the manifold and is sprung into the groove 35, whereupon to its associated cylinder structures, I prothe locking ring36 is threaded upon the vide on each cylinder structure, as shown flange ring 26 until its associated wall of the particularly in Figs. 4 and 5, screw-threaded cylinder is fixedly retained in place, the manifold flanges 25 and 26.. As shown, the spring ring 33 serving as an abutment for cylinder structure is composed, essentially, this purpose. Of a cylinder 27 and a cylinder jacket sleeve Thereafter, the .end cylinder structures 28, the annular space intervening, between the are inserted and secured in the manifold cylinder and the acket sleeve forming a cylin like manner, the inlet opening 19 and the inder cooling jacket. Although the flanges oppositely-disposed open end 20 providing 25 and 26 are located upon the exterior surthe necessary access to. the interior of the faces of the jacket sleeve, nevertheless, it is ma if ld, The ylinder structures 10, to obvious that these flanges may be provlded gether with the manifold 14 assembled theredirectly upon the cylinder in such installaon may then be inserted, as a, unit, in the tions where no cooling acket is included. engin tructure.

The jacket flange 24 is provided wit From the foregoing, it will be apparent pro ecting portion 29 against WlllCll one of th t I h d i d f f if ld the Walls O t manifold 18 g d t0 ahllt which is extremely light in weight, and which and it is alsO provided i 1- p g g may be readily attached to or detached from 30 for clamping the manifold against the proth i li d the tt hi means ject-ing portion 29. It will be further noted b i l dg 'glgfi l li ht, i i ht, y referring to r' 5 h h y f p By providing stays of the character shown ing 31 in themanifold is of greater diameter t 22, th if ld i given th i d than the pp g the former p n g structural strength with very little increase ing sufiiclently large to perm1t the manlfold i th i ht th f It ill b f th h be freely tlescoped p Over the P noted that by providing the flanges 37' and l g po i 29 of the lacket flange ,38 upon the cylinder, the weight of the manis The p j g h g? 26 15 therefore P fold is not imposed entirely upon the rela- Vided with? lh rmg 33 as Show" tively light structure of the cylinder jacket in 1S diagonally pi as at and sleeve but is transmitted to the cylinder it- Which is SO fOFIIIQd that It y he forced self. I have found such a form of manifold p and CV91 the Jacket f g finch p to be especially adapted for use in engines release, will enter a suitable groove 35 f th Opposed i t or Square or polygon provided in the jacket flange 26 and m types wherein the manifold serves to tie the an abutment for the Wall of the mahlcylinders together, and therefore serves as a fold. A locking ring 36 is therefore stress member to resist engine working forces provided, which locking ring engages the tending to distort the engine and to displace threads provided on the flange ring 26 the. cylinders relative to each other. and is arranged to secure the wall of the While I have shown my invention in but manifold against the spring ring 33. Prefone form, it will be obvious to thoseskllled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departin from the spirit thereof, and I desire, t erefore, ,that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by .the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I What I claim is: a 1. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a plurality of opposed piston cylinders having inlet ports for the ad'- mission of scavenging fluid to the respective cylinders and'exhaust ports for the discharge ofv exhaust gases from the respective cylin ders, of a manifold surrounding the cylin ders and communicating with the scavenging ports thereof, and means for detachably securing oppositely-disposed wall portions of said manifold to the cylinders. 1 a 2. In an engine, the combination of a plurality of cylinder structures having ports provided therein, a manifold formed separately from the cylinders, surrounding the cylinders and communicating with the portsthereof, and detachable means disposed circumferentially about each of the cylinders for SIiPPOItlIIg .the manifold therefrom.

3. ii an. engine, .the combination of a plurality of cylinder structures having ports provided therein, a manifold communicating with the ports of the cylinder structures and having oppositely-disposed wall portions abutting against the cylinder structures,'and detachable means disposed circumferentially 3:, about each of the cylinder structures for securing said abutting wall portions'thereto.

4. In an engine, the combination of a manifold having oppositely disposed wall portions and cylinder openings provided in said wall 40 portions, a plurality of cylinder structures projecting through the openings in the wall portions, said cylinder structures having ports communicating with the interior of the manifold, and detachable means associated with each of the cylinder openings for sup. porting the manifold from the cylinder structures.

5.'In an engine, the combination of a manifold having oppositely disposed wall portions and cylinder openings provided in said wall portions, a plurality of cylinder structures projecting through the openings in the wall portions, said cylinder. structures having circumferentially spaced ports communicating with the interior of the manifold, and independent fluid-tight means asi sociated with each cylinder opening and de- "tachably supporting the manifold from the cylinder structures. I m 6. In .an en 'ne', the combination of a plurality of cylinder structures having ports provided therein, a projecting flange portion disposed circumferentially about each ofthe cylinder structures, a manifold communicating with and surrounding the ports of the 12. In an engine, the combination of a cylinder structures, and means for detachablysupporting the manifold from the projecting flange portions provided on the cylinder structures.

7. In an engine, the combination of a plurality of cylinder structures having ports provided therein, a circumferentially extending projecting flange portion provided on each ofthe cylinder structures, a manifold for the cylinders and communicating with the ports thereof, and detachable means disposed circumferentially about the respective cylinders for securing oppositely-disposed wall portions of the manifold ,to the projecting flange portions thereof.

8. In an engine, the combination of a manifold having oppositely disposed wall portions provided with cylinder openings, cylinder structures extending through the openings in the manifold and having ports communicating with the interior of the manifold, and detachable means disposedcircumferentially about each of the cylinders and cooperating with each of said manifold wall portions for securing the manifold to the 'cylinder structures.

9. In an engine, the combination of a man ifold having oppositely disposed wall portions provided with cylinder openings, cylinder structures/extending through the openings in the manifold and. having ports connecting with the. interior of the manifold, projecting flanges provided on each of the cylinder structures adjacent to said manifold wall portions, and means for securing the respective cylinder structure flange portions to their associated manifold wall portions.

10. In an engine, the combination of a plurality of cylinder structures having ports provided therein, said cylinder structures being disposed in side-by-side relation, a manifold telescoped about a/portion of each of the cylinder structures and communicating with the ports thereof, and detachable means for securing the outer periphery of each cylinder structure to the walls ofthe manifold disposed thereabout.

11. In'an engine, the combination of a manifold having oppositely disposed first and second wall portions provided with cylinder openings, theopening in the first manifold wall portion being. larger than the opening in the second manifold wall portion, a cylinder structure having a port communicating with the interior of the manifold -a flange portion provided on the cylinder structure and formed so as to be insertable through the large opening in the first mani fold wall portion and to engage the second manifold, wall portion, means for securing saidflange portion to the second manifold wall portion, and means for securing the first manifold wall portion to the cylinder structure.

manifold having oppositely disposed first and second wall portions provided with cylinder openings, the opening in the first manifold wall portion being larger than the opening with the interior of the manifold, a circumferentially extending flange portion provided on the cylinder structure and formed so as to be insertable through the large opening in the first manifold wall portion and to engage the second manifold wall portion, a locking member engaging the exterior of the cylinder structure and disposed. exteriorly of the manifold for retaining the flange portion of the cylinder structure and the second manifold wall portion in fixed engagement, and means for securing the first manifold wall portion to the cylinder structure.

13. In an engine, the combination of a manifold having oppositely disposed first and second Wall portions provided with cylinder openings, the opening in the first manifold wall portion being larger than the opening in the second manifold wall portion, a cylinder structure having a port communicating with the interior of the manifold, a-

circum-ferentia'lly extending flange portion provided on the cylinder structure and formed so as to be insertable through the large opening in the first manifold Wall portion and to engage the second manifold wall portion, means for securing said projecting flange portion to the second manifold wall portion, detachable means disposed interiorly of the manifold and engaging the cylinder struc ture for retaining the first manifold wall portion, and means disposed exteriorly of the manifold for retaining said detachable means and the first manifold wall portion in fixed engagement.

14. I11 an engine, the combination of a manifold having oppositely disposed first and second wall portions provided with cylinder openings, the opening in the first manifold wall portion being larger than the opening in the second manifold wall portion, a cylinder structure having a port communicating with the interior of the manifold, a circumferentially extending flange portion provided on the cylinder structure and formed so as to be insertable through the large opening in the first manifold wall portion and to engage the second manifold wall portion, means for securing said projecting flange portion to the second manifold wall portion, a detachable spring ring disposed interiorly of the manifold and engaging the cylinder structure for retaining the first manifold wall portion, and a locking ring disposed exterior- .ly of the manifold and cooperating with the spring ring for securing the first manifold and second wall portions provided with cylinder openings, the opening in the first manifold wall portion being larger than the open-' ing in the secondmanifoldwallportion,acylinder structure having a port communicating with the interior of the manifold, a flange portion provided on the cylinder structure and formed so as to be inserta-ble through the opening in the first manifold wall portion and to engage the second manifold wall portion, a locking ring disposed exteriorly of the manifold and cooperating with the flange portion of the cylinder structure to secure the second manifold wall portion to the cylinder structure, a spring ring disposed within the manifold adjacent to the first manifold wall portion, said spring ring being insertable in a retaining recess provided in the cylinder structure, and a locking member disposed exteriorly of the manifold and cooperating with the spring ring for securing the first manifold wall portion to the cylinder structure.

16. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder structure having a port provided therein and embodying a cylinder and a acket sleeve spaced about the cylinder and defining therewith a cooling jacket, a manifold arranged circumferentially about the jacket sleeve and communicating with the port in the cylinder structure, means for detachably' securing. the manifold to the jacket sleeve, and means provided on the cylinder within the cooling jacket and cooperating with said securing means for supporting the manifold from the cylinder.

17. In an engine, the combination of a manifold embodying oppositely-disposed wall portions having cylinder openings provided therein, a plurality of cylinder structures extending through the openings in the manifold and having ports communicating with the interior of the manifold, each of said cylinder structures embodying a cylinder and a jacket sleeve spaced exteriorly about the cylinder and defining therewith a cylinder cooling jacket, detachable means extending circumferentially about each of the cylinder jackets and cooperating with each of said manifold wall portions for securing the manifold to the cylinder jacket sleeve, and reinforcing members provided on each of the cylinders in the vicinity of 'said manifold securing means and cooperating with the jacket sleeve to support the manifold.

18. A manifold for the cylinders of an internal combustion engine comprising a manifold body having oppositely-disposed flat wall portions and a plurality of reinforcing wires disposed within the manifold body and extending between and secured to said oppositely-disposed wall portions.

19. A manifold for'the cylinders of an internal combustion engine comprising a manifold body having oppositely-disposed wall portions and a plurality of spaced, reinforc ing wires disposed within the-manifold bod and extending between and through sai oppositely-disposed wall portions, and means for securing the respective endportions of said reinforcing wires to the exterior surfaces of the oppositely-disposed wall portions.

20. A manifold for the cylinders of an internal combustioh engine comprising a body portion formed of sheet material and having oppositely-disposed flat wall portions and and a plurality oppositely-disposed curved wall portions of reinforcingwires disposed within the manifold body and extending between and secured to said oppositely-disposed flat wall portions.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 3rd day of January,

HERBERT T. HERB. 

